Swindon Town could finally have some selection headaches on the horizon as their injury list looks set to shorten in the coming weeks.

Having struggled with injuries, particularly in defensive areas since the middle of December, Ian Holloway has rarely had too many difficult conversations with senior players as he has had to leave them out of the matchday squad.

However, Saturday’s game against Port Vale saw the return of Joel McGregor and Grant Hall to contention, with the academy graduate having also been a late substitute in the game.

Their return came at the same time as both Gavin Kilkenny and Ollie Clarke had to be left out of the squad, but this was a precaution after both had complained about having tight hamstrings leading up to the game.

Holloway said on Friday about them: “They are not badly done but if we did use them then they could flare up and cause problems and I can’t risk that at all with those two.

“I have a cunning plan, as Baldrick used to say, but we will see how it goes.”

This week should also see Miguel Freckleton return to contention after he began training after his injury last week.

Billy Kirkman and Harrison Minturn remain out for the long-term with a knee and groin injury respectively, and George Cox’s foot is still too sore to train.

After a successful January transfer window which saw three players arrive, Holloway said that he believes the squad is in a very healthy place now.

He said: “If I have got a fully fit squad then I have got some issues and I might have to leave some big hitters out.

“Providing I don’t get too many injuries, I feel like the squad is balanced and I feel that there is pressure on everybody, but the right pressure.

“It is not the pressure because you are not experienced enough but pressure because you are experienced and you want to get in the team and you want to stay in the team.

“When I look around the whole squad now with the additions that I have made, providing we get no extra injuries, then I feel we are in a really good place.

“I feel that there is pressure on everybody and they are listening, for me, if you don’t have someone who is as good as you if not better then you won’t be as good as you can be.”